Air distribution systems and methods

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure relates to a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system including a sensor system configured to detect heat indications within a plurality of areas of a conditioned space, wherein the sensor system comprise a thermal light detector, and a controller configured to receive feedback from the sensor system and, based on the feedback, control airflow distribution, via an airflow distribution system, such that airflow management for each of the plurality of areas is individually correlated to a heat indication detected for the respective area.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/965,555, entitled “AIR DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS AND METHODS, filed Apr.27, 2018, which claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/505,600, entitled “ADAPTIVE DISTRIBUTION WITHINFRARED SENSORS,” filed May 12, 2017, which are hereby incorporated byreference in their entireties for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to heating, ventilation, andair conditioning systems. A wide range of applications exist forheating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. For example,residential, light commercial, commercial, and industrial systems areused to control temperatures and air quality in residences andbuildings. Such systems often are dedicated to either heating orcooling, although systems are common that perform both of thesefunctions. Very generally, these systems operate by implementing athermal cycle in which fluids are heated and cooled to provide thedesired temperature in a controlled space, typically the inside of aresidence or building. Similar systems are used for vehicle heating andcooling, and as well as for general refrigeration. In many HVAC systems,heated or cooled air may be administered based on readings from athermostat.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to a heating, ventilation, and airconditioning (HVAC) system including a sensor system configured todetect heat indications within a plurality of areas of a conditionedspace, wherein the sensor system comprise a thermal light detector, anda controller configured to receive feedback from the sensor system and,based on the feedback, control airflow distribution, via an airflowdistribution system, such that airflow management for each of theplurality of areas is individually correlated to a heat indicationdetected for the respective area.

The present disclosure also relates to a heating, ventilation, and airconditioning (HVAC) control system including a sensor system configuredto detect a distribution of heat within a conditioned space, a pluralityof airflow control devices configured to be actuated to controlrespective airflows from a common source to the conditioned space, and acontroller configured to control each airflow control device of theplurality of airflow control devices based on the distribution of heatwithin the conditioned space.

The present disclosure further relates to a heating, ventilation, andair conditioning (HVAC) system including an infrared (IR) sensorconfigured to detect heat sources within a room and a plurality of airoutlets configured to deliver conditioned air to the room, wherein theHVAC system is configured to deliver the conditioned air through eachair outlet of the plurality of air outlets according to a distributionof the heat sources within the room.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a heating, ventilation, and airconditioning (HVAC) system for building environmental management thatmay employ one or more HVAC units, in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an HVAC unit of the HVAC system of FIG.1 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a residential split heating and coolingsystem, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a vapor compression system that may beused in an HVAC system, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of an air distribution system, in accordancewith an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the air distribution system of FIG. 5 , inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 7 is a flow chart of a process of the air distribution system ofFIG. 5 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure is directed to heating, ventilation, and airconditioning (HVAC) systems which may administer air based on adistribution of heat or heat sources throughout a room, a building, orother conditioned space. Particularly, the HVAC system may include heatsensors or thermal light detectors, such as infrared (IR) sensors,configured to detect heat sources within the room, building, or otherconditioned space. The HVAC system may utilize data gathered by the heatsensors to provide conditioning air flows, such as heated or cooled air,to preemptively condition portions of the room, building, or conditionedspace as the distribution of heat changes within the portions of theroom, building, or conditioned space. For example, as the heat sensorsor thermal light detectors detect heat sources in a particular portionof the room, building, or conditioned space, the HVAC system may supplyconditioned air the particular portion to preemptively cool the air.Overall, the HVAC system may provide individualized conditioning airflows to respective portions of a room, building, or conditioned spaceas the heat sensors or thermal light detectors detect changes in heatsources of the area. In this manner, the HVAC system may be utilizedmore effectively and may reduce stratified zones within the room,building, or conditioned space, such as an uneven distribution oftemperatures within the room.

Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a heating, ventilation,and air conditioning (HVAC) system for building environmental managementthat may employ one or more HVAC units. In the illustrated embodiment, abuilding 10 is air conditioned by a system that includes an HVAC unit12. The building 10 may be a commercial structure or a residentialstructure. As shown, the HVAC unit 12 is disposed on the roof of thebuilding 10; however, the HVAC unit 12 may be located in other equipmentrooms or areas adjacent the building 10. The HVAC unit 12 may be asingle package unit containing other equipment, such as a blower,integrated air handler, and/or auxiliary heating unit. In otherembodiments, the HVAC unit 12 may be part of a split HVAC system, suchas the system shown in FIG. 3 , which includes an outdoor HVAC unit 58and an indoor HVAC unit 56.

The HVAC unit 12 is an air cooled device that implements a refrigerationcycle to provide conditioned air to the building 10. Specifically, theHVAC unit 12 may include one or more heat exchangers across which an airflow is passed to condition the air flow before the air flow is suppliedto the building. In the illustrated embodiment, the HVAC unit 12 is arooftop unit (RTU) that conditions a supply air stream, such asenvironmental air and/or a return air flow from the building 10. Afterthe HVAC unit 12 conditions the air, the air is supplied to the building10 via ductwork 14 extending throughout the building 10 from the HVACunit 12. For example, the ductwork 14 may extend to various individualfloors or other sections of the building 10. In certain embodiments, theHVAC unit 12 may be a heat pump that provides both heating and coolingto the building with one refrigeration circuit configured to operate indifferent modes. In other embodiments, the HVAC unit 12 may include oneor more refrigeration circuits for cooling an air stream and a furnacefor heating the air stream.

A control device 16, one type of which may be a thermostat, may be usedto designate the temperature of the conditioned air. The control device16 also may be used to control the flow of air through the ductwork 14.For example, the control device 16 may be used to regulate operation ofone or more components of the HVAC unit 12 or other components, such asdampers and fans, within the building 10 that may control flow of airthrough and/or from the ductwork 14. In some embodiments, other devicesmay be included in the system, such as pressure and/or temperaturetransducers or switches that sense the temperatures and pressures of thesupply air, return air, and so forth. Moreover, the control device 16may include computer systems that are integrated with or separate fromother building control or monitoring systems, and even systems that areremote from the building 10.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the HVAC unit 12. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the HVAC unit 12 is a single package unitthat may include one or more independent refrigeration circuits andcomponents that are tested, charged, wired, piped, and ready forinstallation. The HVAC unit 12 may provide a variety of heating and/orcooling functions, such as cooling only, heating only, cooling withelectric heat, cooling with dehumidification, cooling with gas heat, orcooling with a heat pump. As described above, the HVAC unit 12 maydirectly cool and/or heat an air stream provided to the building 10 tocondition a space in the building 10.

As shown in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 2 , a cabinet 24 enclosesthe HVAC unit 12 and provides structural support and protection to theinternal components from environmental and other contaminants. In someembodiments, the cabinet 24 may be constructed of galvanized steel andinsulated with aluminum foil faced insulation. Rails 26 may be joined tothe bottom perimeter of the cabinet 24 and provide a foundation for theHVAC unit 12. In certain embodiments, the rails 26 may provide accessfor a forklift and/or overhead rigging to facilitate installation and/orremoval of the HVAC unit 12. In some embodiments, the rails 26 may fitinto “curbs” on the roof to enable the HVAC unit 12 to provide air tothe ductwork 14 from the bottom of the HVAC unit 12 while blockingelements such as rain from leaking into the building 10.

The HVAC unit 12 includes heat exchangers 28 and 30 in fluidcommunication with one or more refrigeration circuits. Tubes within theheat exchangers 28 and 30 may circulate refrigerant, such as R-410A,through the heat exchangers 28 and 30. The tubes may be of varioustypes, such as multichannel tubes, conventional copper or aluminumtubing, and so forth. Together, the heat exchangers 28 and 30 mayimplement a thermal cycle in which the refrigerant undergoes phasechanges and/or temperature changes as it flows through the heatexchangers 28 and 30 to produce heated and/or cooled air. For example,the heat exchanger 28 may function as a condenser where heat is releasedfrom the refrigerant to ambient air, and the heat exchanger 30 mayfunction as an evaporator where the refrigerant absorbs heat to cool anair stream. In other embodiments, the HVAC unit 12 may operate in a heatpump mode where the roles of the heat exchangers 28 and 30 may bereversed. That is, the heat exchanger 28 may function as an evaporatorand the heat exchanger 30 may function as a condenser. In furtherembodiments, the HVAC unit 12 may include a furnace for heating the airstream that is supplied to the building 10. While the illustratedembodiment of FIG. 2 shows the HVAC unit 12 having two of the heatexchangers 28 and 30, in other embodiments, the HVAC unit 12 may includeone heat exchanger or more than two heat exchangers.

The heat exchanger 30 is located within a compartment 31 that separatesthe heat exchanger 30 from the heat exchanger 28. Fans 32 draw air fromthe environment through the heat exchanger 28. Air may be heated and/orcooled as the air flows through the heat exchanger 28 before beingreleased back to the environment surrounding the rooftop unit 12. Ablower assembly 34, powered by a motor 36, draws air through the heatexchanger 30 to heat or cool the air. The heated or cooled air may bedirected to the building 10 by the ductwork 14, which may be connectedto the HVAC unit 12. Before flowing through the heat exchanger 30, theconditioned air flows through one or more filters 38 that may removeparticulates and contaminants from the air. In certain embodiments, thefilters 38 may be disposed on the air intake side of the heat exchanger30 to prevent contaminants from contacting the heat exchanger 30.

The HVAC unit 12 also may include other equipment for implementing thethermal cycle. Compressors 42 increase the pressure and temperature ofthe refrigerant before the refrigerant enters the heat exchanger 28. Thecompressors 42 may be any suitable type of compressors, such as scrollcompressors, rotary compressors, screw compressors, or reciprocatingcompressors. In some embodiments, the compressors 42 may include a pairof hermetic direct drive compressors arranged in a dual stageconfiguration 44. However, in other embodiments, any number of thecompressors 42 may be provided to achieve various stages of heatingand/or cooling. As may be appreciated, additional equipment and devicesmay be included in the HVAC unit 12, such as a solid-core filter drier,a drain pan, a disconnect switch, an economizer, pressure switches,phase monitors, and humidity sensors, among other things.

The HVAC unit 12 may receive power through a terminal block 46. Forexample, a high voltage power source may be connected to the terminalblock 46 to power the equipment. The operation of the HVAC unit 12 maybe governed or regulated by a control board 48. The control board 48 mayinclude control circuitry connected to a thermostat, sensors, andalarms. One or more of these components may be referred to hereinseparately or collectively as the control device 16. The controlcircuitry may be configured to control operation of the equipment,provide alarms, and monitor safety switches. Wiring 49 may connect thecontrol board 48 and the terminal block 46 to the equipment of the HVACunit 12.

FIG. 3 illustrates a residential heating and cooling system 50, also inaccordance with present techniques. The residential heating and coolingsystem 50 may provide heated and cooled air to a residential structure,as well as provide outside air for ventilation and provide improvedindoor air quality (IAQ) through devices such as ultraviolet lights andair filters. In the illustrated embodiment, the residential heating andcooling system 50 is a split HVAC system. In general, a residence 52conditioned by a split HVAC system may include refrigerant conduits 54that operatively couple the indoor unit 56 to the outdoor unit 58. Theindoor unit 56 may be positioned in a utility room, an attic, abasement, and so forth. The outdoor unit 58 is typically situatedadjacent to a side of residence 52 and is covered by a shroud to protectthe system components and to prevent leaves and other debris orcontaminants from entering the unit. The refrigerant conduits 54transfer refrigerant between the indoor unit 56 and the outdoor unit 58,typically transferring primarily liquid refrigerant in one direction andprimarily vaporized refrigerant in an opposite direction.

When the system shown in FIG. 3 is operating as an air conditioner, aheat exchanger 60 in the outdoor unit 58 serves as a condenser forre-condensing vaporized refrigerant flowing from the indoor unit 56 tothe outdoor unit 58 via one of the refrigerant conduits 54. In theseapplications, a heat exchanger 62 of the indoor unit functions as anevaporator. Specifically, the heat exchanger 62 receives liquidrefrigerant, which may be expanded by an expansion device, andevaporates the refrigerant before returning it to the outdoor unit 58.

The outdoor unit 58 draws environmental air through the heat exchanger60 using a fan 64 and expels the air above the outdoor unit 58. Whenoperating as an air conditioner, the air is heated by the heat exchanger60 within the outdoor unit 58 and exits the unit at a temperature higherthan it entered. The indoor unit 56 includes a blower or fan 66 thatdirects air through or across the indoor heat exchanger 62, where theair is cooled when the system is operating in air conditioning mode.Thereafter, the air is passed through ductwork 68 that directs the airto the residence 52. The overall system operates to maintain a desiredtemperature as set by a system controller. When the temperature sensedinside the residence 52 is higher than the set point on the thermostat,or the set point plus a small amount, the residential heating andcooling system 50 may become operative to refrigerate additional air forcirculation through the residence 52. When the temperature reaches theset point, or the set point minus a small amount, the residentialheating and cooling system 50 may stop the refrigeration cycletemporarily.

The residential heating and cooling system 50 may also operate as a heatpump. When operating as a heat pump, the roles of heat exchangers 60 and62 are reversed. That is, the heat exchanger 60 of the outdoor unit 58will serve as an evaporator to evaporate refrigerant and thereby coolair entering the outdoor unit 58 as the air passes over outdoor the heatexchanger 60. The indoor heat exchanger 62 will receive a stream of airblown over it and will heat the air by condensing the refrigerant.

In some embodiments, the indoor unit 56 may include a furnace system 70.For example, the indoor unit 56 may include the furnace system 70 whenthe residential heating and cooling system 50 is not configured tooperate as a heat pump. The furnace system 70 may include a burnerassembly and heat exchanger, among other components, inside the indoorunit 56. Fuel is provided to the burner assembly of the furnace 70 whereit is mixed with air and combusted to form combustion products. Thecombustion products may pass through tubes or piping in a heatexchanger, separate from heat exchanger 62, such that air directed bythe blower 66 passes over the tubes or pipes and extracts heat from thecombustion products. The heated air may then be routed from the furnacesystem 70 to the ductwork 68 for heating the residence 52.

FIG. 4 is an embodiment of a vapor compression system 72 that can beused in any of the systems described above. The vapor compression system72 may circulate a refrigerant through a circuit starting with acompressor 74. The circuit may also include a condenser 76, an expansionvalve(s) or device(s) 78, and an evaporator 80. The vapor compressionsystem 72 may further include a control panel 82 that has an analog todigital (A/D) converter 84, a microprocessor 86, a non-volatile memory88, and/or an interface board 90. The control panel 82 and itscomponents may function to regulate operation of the vapor compressionsystem 72 based on feedback from an operator, from sensors of the vaporcompression system 72 that detect operating conditions, and so forth.

In some embodiments, the vapor compression system 72 may use one or moreof a variable speed drive (VSDs) 92, a motor 94, the compressor 74, thecondenser 76, the expansion valve or device 78, and/or the evaporator80. The motor 94 may drive the compressor 74 and may be powered by thevariable speed drive (VSD) 92. The VSD 92 receives alternating current(AC) power having a particular fixed line voltage and fixed linefrequency from an AC power source, and provides power having a variablevoltage and frequency to the motor 94. In other embodiments, the motor94 may be powered directly from an AC or direct current (DC) powersource. The motor 94 may include any type of electric motor that can bepowered by a VSD or directly from an AC or DC power source, such as aswitched reluctance motor, an induction motor, an electronicallycommutated permanent magnet motor, or another suitable motor.

The compressor 74 compresses a refrigerant vapor and delivers the vaporto the condenser 76 through a discharge passage. In some embodiments,the compressor 74 may be a centrifugal compressor. The refrigerant vapordelivered by the compressor 74 to the condenser 76 may transfer heat toa fluid passing across the condenser 76, such as ambient orenvironmental air 96. The refrigerant vapor may condense to arefrigerant liquid in the condenser 76 as a result of thermal heattransfer with the environmental air 96. The liquid refrigerant from thecondenser 76 may flow through the expansion device 78 to the evaporator80.

The liquid refrigerant delivered to the evaporator 80 may absorb heatfrom another air stream, such as a supply air stream 98 provided to thebuilding 10 or the residence 52. For example, the supply air stream 98may include ambient or environmental air, return air from a building, ora combination of the two. The liquid refrigerant in the evaporator 80may undergo a phase change from the liquid refrigerant to a refrigerantvapor. In this manner, the evaporator 38 may reduce the temperature ofthe supply air stream 98 via thermal heat transfer with the refrigerant.Thereafter, the vapor refrigerant exits the evaporator 80 and returns tothe compressor 74 by a suction line to complete the cycle.

In some embodiments, the vapor compression system 72 may further includea reheat coil in addition to the evaporator 80. For example, the reheatcoil may be positioned downstream of the evaporator relative to thesupply air stream 98 and may reheat the supply air stream 98 when thesupply air stream 98 is overcooled to remove humidity from the supplyair stream 98 before the supply air stream 98 is directed to thebuilding 10 or the residence 52.

It should be appreciated that any of the features described herein maybe incorporated with the HVAC unit 12, the residential heating andcooling system 50, or other HVAC systems. Additionally, while thefeatures disclosed herein are described in the context of embodimentsthat directly heat and cool a supply air stream provided to a buildingor other load, embodiments of the present disclosure may be applicableto other HVAC systems as well. For example, the features describedherein may be applied to mechanical cooling systems, free coolingsystems, chiller systems, or other heat pump or refrigerationapplications.

As discussed below, a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC)system 100, such as the HVAC unit 12, the heating and cooling system 50,and/or the vapor compression system 72, may include an adaptive airdistribution system configured to administer conditioned air accordingto a distribution of heat within a room, building, or conditioned space.For example, the HVAC system 100 may detect heat sources, such aspeople, machines, animals, solar loads, and so forth, and may administerconditioned air accordingly to condition the air within the room,building, or conditioned space. In one embodiment, conditioned air maybe provided to portions or limited areas of the room, building, orconditioned space to reduce air stratification, such as an unevendistribution of temperatures, within the room, building, or conditionedspace. In certain instances, stratified zones may occur if portions ofthe room, building, or conditioned space contain large, or numerous,heat sources, while other portions of the room, building, or conditionedspace contain moderate, or few, heat sources. Particularly, the HVACsystem 100 may reduce air stratification by providing individualizedheating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning to portions of the room,building, or conditioned space based on the detected heat sources. Thatis, the HVAC system 100 may provide conditioning air flows in responseto a presence of heat sources in addition to, or alternatively to,providing conditioning air flows in response to a changing temperatureof the room, building, or conditioned space.

To illustrate, FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the HVAC system 100 that isconfigured to provide individualized heating, ventilation, and/or airconditioning to a conditioned space, such as to portions of rooms 102,of a building 104. While the discussion below focuses on an embodimentof the HVAC system 100 providing conditioned air to portions of therooms 102, the techniques described herein may be used to provideconditioned air to portions of a building, such as different rooms, orportions of any other conditioned space.

In the illustrated embodiment, the HVAC system 100 includes an HVAC unit106, such as the HVAC unit 12 or the heating and cooling system 50, heatsensors or thermal light detectors 108, and an air duct system 110,which is configured to administer air through outlets 112, such asvariable air volume (VAV) diffusers. Each outlet 112 and/or groups ofthe outlets 112 may utilize an air control device 113, such as avariable air volume (VAV) box, which may control a volumetric flow rateof air as it passes through the outlet 112 and/or a reheat terminal,which may control a temperature of air as it passes through the outlet112. Similarly, in certain embodiments, the air control device 113 mayinclude fan coils and/or chilled beams. Indeed, in certain embodiments,the HVAC system 100 may be a VAV system, which is configured to adjust aflow rate of the air and/or may be a constant air volume (CAV) system,which is configured to adjust a temperature of the air.

Further, the HVAC system 100 may be communicatively coupled to acontroller 114. The controller 114 may employ a processor 116, which mayrepresent one or more processors, such as an application-specificprocessor. The controller 114 may also include a memory device 118 forstoring instructions executable by the processor 116 to perform themethods and control actions described herein for the HVAC system 100.The processor 116 may include one or more processing devices, and thememory 118 may include one or more tangible, non-transitory,machine-readable media. By way of example, such machine-readable mediacan include RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM, or other optical diskstorage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or anyother medium which can be used to carry or store desired program code inthe form of machine-executable instructions or data structures and whichcan be accessed by the processor 116 or by any general purpose orspecial purpose computer or other machine with a processor. In certainembodiments, the controller 114 may be directly coupled to, or disposedwithin, the HVAC unit 106.

The controller 114 may be communicatively coupled to the HVAC unit 106,the heat sensors or thermal light detectors 108, and/or the air controldevices 113 through a communication system 120. In some embodiments, thecommunication system 120 may communicate through a wireless network,such as wireless local area networks [WLAN], wireless wide area networks[WWAN], near field communication [NFC], or Bluetooth. In someembodiments, the communication system 120 may communicate through awired network such as local area networks [LAN], or wide area networks[WAN].

As discussed herein, the heat sensors or thermal light detectors 108 areconfigured to detect, measure, and/or determine the presence and theintensity, or concentration, of heat sources of an area. As used herein,the term “thermal light detector” includes thermographic cameras,infrared (IR) sensors, or any other suitable sensor configured to detectIR radiation, or electromagnetic wavelengths within the infraredspectrum, which may indicate that heat is radiating from an object. Thatis, the heat sensors thermal light detectors 108 may determine anintensity or level of heat of a surface of an object relative tosurroundings of the object. In some embodiments, the heat sensorsthermal light detectors 108 may be coupled to a ceiling 122 and/or awall 124 of the room 102. In some embodiments, the heat sensors thermallight detectors 108 may be associated with a field of view 126, whichmay refer to an area of coverage, and with a range 128, which may referto a distance from the heat sensor thermal light detector 108 in whichthe heat sensor thermal light detector 108 may accurately and/orreliably sense IR radiation. Indeed, the field of view 126 and the range128 may depend at least in part on the type of heat sensor thermal lightdetector 108 utilized.

The heat sensors 108 may be positioned such that the fields of view 126of the heat sensors 108 substantially covers an area of a floor 130 ofthe room 102. Further, the heat sensors 108 may be positioned such thatthe range 128 reaches a suitable level within the room. For example, incertain embodiments, the heat sensors 108 may be disposed such that theassociated ranges 128 extend approximately to the floor 130, toapproximately a standard body height from the floor 130, or any othersuitable distance from the floor 130. Overall, the number of heatsensors 108 and their location within the room 102 may depend at leastin part on the field of view 126, the range 128, and/or otherspecifications of the heat sensor 108. In certain embodiments, the heatsensors 108 may be configured to detect a temperature distributionthroughout the room 102.

In certain embodiments, the HVAC system 100 may include one or morethermostats 131, or temperature and humidity sensors, configured todetect a temperature and/or humidity of the room. The HVAC system 100may utilize data gathered by the thermostat 131 to calibrate the heatsensors 108 to accurately measure the temperature distributionthroughout the room. For example, the thermostat 131 may detect thetemperature in a portion of the room 102 in which the thermostat 131 islocated, and the heat sensors 108 may detect the concentration of heatin the portion of the room 102 in which the thermostat 131 is located.The controller 114 may utilize the temperature data from the thermostat131 and heat distribution data from the heat sensors 108 to determinethe temperature distribution throughout the room 102.

As shown in FIG. 5 , certain activities, objects, orientation, and otherelements of the room 102 may affect a distribution of heat within theroom 102. To help illustrate, an intensity/level of heat within the room102 is represented with horizontal lines 138. For example, the amount oflines 138 vertically stacked in a certain area may be directly relatedto an amount of heat being distributed within the certain area. Asshown, the amount of heat may be increased by the presence of humans140, or other organisms, machines 142, a solar load 144, and/or othersources of heat. For example, the machines 142 that are in operation,which are illustrated as the machines 142 that are being operated by thehumans 140, may output more heat than the machines 142 that are not inoperation, which are illustrated as the machines 140 that do not havethe humans 140 adjacent to the machines 142. Indeed, the machines 142may be any machine 142 that may output heat, such as computers,televisions, servers, automation equipment, artificial light sources,manufacturing equipment, and so forth. Further, a portion of the room102 may increase in heat due to the solar load 144, which may be aresult of the proximity of the portion of the room 102 to a window 148through which solar energy may travel. Therefore, an area of the room102 adjacent to the window 148, which is experiencing the solar load144, is illustrated with an increased amount of lines 138 to indicate ahigh intensity heat source in the area. Indeed, as shown, heat sourcesmay be unevenly distributed throughout the room 102, and the HVAC system100 may distribute conditioning air flows to the room 102 accordingly.

The HVAC system 100 may detect the distribution of heat, heat sources, atemperature/thermal gradient, or any combination thereof throughout theroom 102 via the heat sensors 108. Particularly, the heat sensors 108may gather data indicative of the heat distribution, such as a thermalor temperature gradient, throughout the room and communicate the data tothe controller 114. The controller 114 may analyze the data and sendcorresponding signals to the HVAC unit 106 and/or the air controldevices 113 to cool or heat certain portions of the room 102, such thatthe temperature distribution throughout the room 102 is substantiallyconstant and substantially matches a set-point temperature. For example,in portions of the room 102 that are determined, via the heat sensors108 and the controller 114, to contain higher intensity heat sources mayreceive cooler air and/or an increased cool air flow with respect toportions of the room 102 that are determined to contain lower intensityheat sources. Similar principals may be utilized by the HVAC system 100when particularly low intensity heat sources are present that may causeportions of the room 102 to have particularly low temperatures. Forexample, in portions of the room 102 that are determined, via the heatsensors 108 and the controller 102, to contain low intensity heatsources may receive warmer air and/or an increased warm air flow withrespect to portions of the room 102 that are determined to containhigher intensity heat sources. In certain embodiments, the heat sensors108 may detect an occupancy distribution of the room 102 and may providethe conditioning air flows accordingly by preemptively cooling areaswithin higher concentrations of occupancy.

FIG. 6 is a schematic top view of the room 102 showing an embodiment ofa distribution of the heat sensors 108 and the outlets 112 throughoutthe room 102. In some embodiments, the room 102 may be a large room witha variety of functions such as a ballroom, a cafeteria, a library, alobby, an office space, a training room, a restaurant, a server room, acall center, or any other suitable type of room. In the currentembodiment, the heat sensors 108 are positioned between the outlets 112such that there are four heat sensors 108 and nine outlets 112. Indeed,in certain embodiments, the room 102 may include an array of the heatsensors 108. However, as mentioned above, it is to be understood thatthe room 102 may include any suitable number of heat sensors 108. Incertain embodiments, the amount of heat sensors 108 may depend on thespecifications of the heat sensors 108, such as the field of view 126,the range 128, the resolution, and so forth. For example, in someembodiments, the HVAC system 100 may utilize a single heat sensor 108with a large field of view 126 configured to substantially cover theroom 102. In some embodiments, the fields of view 126 of the heatsensors 108 may overlap, which may provide for redundancy and/orvalidation in determining the distribution of heat within the room 102.In some embodiments, the HVAC system 100 may include one heat sensor 108per outlet 112 or air control device 113. In some embodiments, thenumber of heat sensors 108 and/or coverage of the heat sensors 108utilized by the HVAC system 100 may be such that only portions of theroom 102 are monitored by the heat sensors 108, such as portions of theroom 102 that are expected to have a high variance, or high fluctuation,in heat sources and/or temperatures.

As mentioned above, the heat sensors 108 may gather data indicative ofthe distribution of heat sources in the room 102 and communicate thedata to the controller 114. In certain embodiments, the heat sensors 108and the controller 114 may generate a heat map 150, or two-dimensional(2D) image, of the distribution of heat sources, distribution oftemperature, distribution of occupancy, or any combination thereof ofthe room 102. The heat map 150 may be displayed on a user interface 152,such as a graphical user interface (GUI) communicatively coupled to thecontroller 114. For example, as shown, due at least in part to the solarload 144 in the room 102 adjacent to the window 148, the heat map 152may indicate increased heat in the portion of the room 102 adjacent tothe window 148 that is experiencing the solar load 144. Accordingly, thecontroller 114 may increase cooling administered through the outlets 112within the portion of the room 102 experiencing the solar load 144 byactuating the respective air control devices 113. Indeed, the controller114 may also increase cooling administered through outlets 112 that areadjacent to other sources of heat, such as machines 142, humans 140, andso forth.

As discussed herein, the HVAC system 100 may identify heat sourceswithin the room 102 or other conditioned space and administer anappropriate amount of air at an appropriate temperature to reduce airstratification, such as an uneven distribution of temperatures, withinthe room 102, building, or conditioned space. Specifically, the HVACsystem 100 may utilize predictive control to preemptively cool or heatportions of the room 102 or building that have been identified aspotential causes or areas of air stratification, such as portions of theroom 102 having low intensity heat sources, such as cold objects, orhigh intensity heat sources, such as hot objects. That is, the HVACsystem 100 may administer the appropriate or desired amount andtemperature of air to the portions of the room 102 or conditioned spacehaving potential sources of air stratification as the potential sourcesof air stratification enter, or appear within, the portion of the room102, or shortly thereafter. In other words, the HVAC system 100 mayadminister air to condition the room 102 before the potential sources ofair stratification are able to cause a significant and/or a noticeableamount of air stratification within the room 102. Indeed, alternativelyor in addition to the HVAC system 100 providing conditioned air based onchanges in temperature in the room 102, the HVAC system 100 may providecondition air based on the presence of sources that could potentiallycause changes in temperature. Therefore, because the HVAC system 100 maypreemptively cool a space within the room 102, the HVAC system 100 mayoperate for a shorter period of time and in more specified areas tocondition the room 102, thereby providing cost efficiency and energyefficiency. Particularly, the HVAC system 100 may provide for cost andenergy efficiency relative to systems that provide conditioned air basedonly on a disparity between a measured temperature of a space and aset-point temperature of the space.

In some embodiments, the amount and temperature of air that the HVACsystem 100 supplies to the room 102 may be calibrated according to anintensity and duration of the heat source. That is, if a high-intensityheat source appears in a certain portion of the room 102 for a shortamount of time, the HVAC system 100 may supply cooled air to the certainportion of the room 102 for a short amount of time. Similarly, if ahigh-intensity heat source appears in a certain portion of the room 102and remains in the certain portion of the room 102, the HVAC system 100may continuously supply cooled air to the certain portion of the room102 at least while the high-intensity heat source remains in the certainportion of the room 102. In certain embodiments, the HVAC system 100 maydetect a rate of temperature change, or rate of change of heat intensityin the room 102, and may accordingly increase or decrease an amountand/or a temperature of supplied air.

In some embodiments, the heat sensors 108 may be capable of detectingmotion within the room 102. Indeed, in such embodiments, the HVAC system100 may be capable of determining occupancy of the room 102 via the heatsensors 108. To this end, the heat sensors 108 may be configured todetect a human form, such as via a detected heat signature. In someembodiments, the heat sensors 108 may detect human forms by detecting amotion or change in detected heat distribution. The heat sensors 108 mayalso be configured to detect other characteristics or attributes ofhumans, such as face detection, to determine occupancy of the room 102.In such embodiments, the heat sensors 108 may send data indicative ofthe human forms or motion to the controller 114, which in turn maycontrol the HVAC system 100 to condition the room 102 based on the humanforms or motion within the room. As discussed herein, the HVAC system100 system may adjust an amount and/or temperature of the conditionedair flows by adjusting an operation of the HVAC unit 106 and/or byadjusting operation of the air control devices 113.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating a control process 170 of the HVACsystem 100. At block 172, the HVAC system 100 may operate the heatsensors 108 to detect heat sources within a conditioned space, such asthe room 102. Indeed, the heat sensors 108 may detect infrared (IR)radiation emanating from objects within the conditioned space, therebydetecting heat source outliers of the conditioned space. In otherembodiments, the heat sensors 108 may be any other suitable type ofsensor. In some embodiments, detecting heat sources within theconditioned space may include detecting a temperature distribution,and/or an occupancy distribution of the conditioned space.

At block 174, the HVAC system 100 may determine a distribution andintensity of heat sources. Indeed, discussed above, determining thedistribution and intensity of heat sources within the conditioned spacemay include detecting a heat distribution, temperature distribution,occupancy distribution, or any combination thereof. Specifically, theHVAC system 100 may utilize the controller 114 to aggregate and analyzedata gathered by the heat sensors 108 indicative of heat distributionthroughout the room 102 to determine the distribution and intensity ofheat sources. Analysis of the data may include generation of a heat mapof the conditioned space indicating a distribution and/or intensity ofheat throughout portions or all of the conditioned space.

At block 176, the HVAC system 100 may provide conditioning air flowsaccording to the distribution and/or intensity of heat sources withinthe conditioned space. For example, when the HVAC system 100 identifiescertain portions of the conditioned space to include high-intensity heatsources which could potentially cause a rise in temperature in thecertain portions, and thereby causing air stratification throughout theconditioned space, the HVAC system 100 may provide the conditioned airflows to prevent the air stratification. In other words, the HVAC system100 may provide conditioned air flows in response to an uneven orchanging distribution of heat sources within the conditioned space priorto a significant temperature change in the conditioned space. In thismanner, because the HVAC system 100 may efficiently condition theconditioned space by providing focused conditioning air flows to thecertain portions of the conditioned space to reduce air stratification,the HVAC system 100 may provide for an increase in efficiency.

Accordingly, the present disclosure is directed to providing systems andmethods for an adaptive air distribution heating, ventilation, and airconditioning (HVAC) system. The adaptive HVAC system may monitor thepresence and distribution of heat sources within a conditioned space,such as a room, and may provide conditioning air flows based on adistribution of the heat sources. In this manner, the adaptive HVACsystem may preemptively condition the conditioned space before the heatsources cause a significant change in temperature, or comfort level, inthe space in which the heat sources are located. That is, the adaptiveHVAC system may provide individualized, or targeted air flows, torespective portions of the conditioned space, thereby preventing airstratification and providing for an increase in efficiency.

While only certain features and embodiments of the present disclosurehave been illustrated and described, many modifications and changes mayoccur to those skilled in the art, such as variations in sizes,dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements,values of parameters, such as temperatures or pressures, mountingarrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, and so forth,without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages ofthe subject matter recited in the claims. The order or sequence of anyprocess or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according toalternative embodiments. It is, therefore, to be understood that theappended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changesas fall within the true spirit of the present disclosure. Furthermore,in an effort to provide a concise description of the exemplaryembodiments, all features of an actual implementation may not have beendescribed, such as those unrelated to the presently contemplated bestmode of carrying out the present disclosure, or those unrelated toenabling the claimed embodiments. It should be appreciated that in thedevelopment of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering ordesign project, numerous implementation specific decisions may be made.Such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but wouldnevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, andmanufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of thisdisclosure, without undue experimentation.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A heating, ventilation, and/or airconditioning (HVAC) system, comprising: a sensor system configured todetect parameters indicative of a plurality of temperatures within aplurality of areas of a conditioned room, including a first temperaturecorresponding to a first area of the plurality of areas and a secondtemperature corresponding to a second area of the plurality of areas,the second temperature being different than the first temperature; and acontroller configured to: receive data indicative of the firsttemperature corresponding to the first area and the second temperaturecorresponding to the second area; control, based on the data, a firstair flow temperature control device to a first setting that causes afirst air flow to be cooled by a first fan coil or first chilled beam ofthe first air flow temperature control device and delivered through afirst air flow outlet into the first area such that the first air flowchanges the first temperature corresponding to the first area to atarget temperature; and control, based on the data, a second air flowtemperature control device to a second setting that causes a second airflow to be cooled by a second fan coil or second chilled beam of thesecond air flow temperature control device and delivered through asecond air flow outlet separated from the first air flow outlet into thesecond area such that the second air flow changes the second temperaturecorresponding to the second area to the target temperature.
 2. The HVACsystem of claim 1, comprising an air flow distribution system having thefirst air flow outlet, a first air flow path corresponding to the firstair flow outlet, the second air flow outlet, and a second air flow pathcorresponding to the second air flow outlet, wherein the first air flowpath and the second air flow path are physically separate.
 3. The HVACsystem of claim 2, wherein: at least a first portion of the first airflow temperature control device is disposed in the first air flow path;and at least a second portion of the second air flow temperature controldevice is disposed in the second air flow path.
 4. The HVAC system ofclaim 1, wherein the sensor system comprises: a first thermal lightdetector configured to detect a first parameter indicative of the firsttemperature corresponding to the first area of the plurality of areas ofthe conditioned room; and a second thermal light detector configured todetect a second parameter indicative of the second temperaturecorresponding to the second area of the plurality of areas of theconditioned room.
 5. The HVAC system of claim 1, comprising a thermostatcommunicatively coupled with the controller, wherein the controller isconfigured to receive the target temperature from the thermostat via aset point of the thermostat.
 6. The HVAC system of claim 1, wherein thefirst air flow temperature control device comprises a first damper andthe second air flow temperature control device comprises a seconddamper.
 7. The HVAC system of claim 1, comprising a user interfacecommunicatively coupled with the controller, wherein: the controller isconfigured to generate, based on the first data and the second data, atwo-dimensional heat map of the conditioned room, including anillustration of the first area of the conditioned room, the second areaof the conditioned room, and heat indications superimposed over thefirst area and the second area; and the user interface is configured tooutput the two-dimensional heat map on a display.
 8. A heating,ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system, comprising: a firstthermal light detector configured to detect first heat sources within afirst area of a room; a second thermal light detector configured todetect second heat sources within a second area of the room; and acontroller configured to receive, from the first thermal light detectorand the second thermal light detector, data indicative of the first heatsources and the second heat sources, respectively, and to control, basedon the data and a target room temperature, a first fan coil or firstchilled beam to cool a first air flow before the first air flow isdirected to the first area of the room at a first desired temperatureand a second fan coil or second chilled beam to cool a second air flowbefore the second air flow is directed to the second area of the room ata second desired temperature, wherein the first desired temperature isdifferent than the second desired temperature and the first area of theroom is different than the second area of the room.
 9. The HVAC systemof claim 8, wherein the first thermal light detector comprises a firstinfrared (IR) sensor and the second thermal light detector comprises asecond IR sensor.
 10. The HVAC system of claim 8, comprising an HVACunit fluidly coupled to a plurality of air outlets including a first airoutlet corresponding to the first area of the room and a second airoutlet corresponding to the second area of the room, wherein the HVACunit is configured to adjust an amount of conditioned air delivered tothe plurality of air outlets based on a distribution of heat sourceswithin the room.
 11. The HVAC system of claim 8, wherein the controlleris configured to cause the first air flow at the first desiredtemperature to be delivered to the first area of the room through thefirst air outlet at a point in time, and wherein the controller isconfigured to cause the second air flow at the second desiredtemperature to be delivered to the second area of the room through thesecond air outlet at the point in time.
 12. The HVAC system of claim 8,comprising: a first fan, first diffuser, or first damper correspondingto the first area of the room, wherein the controller is configured tocontrol the first fan coil or first chilled beam and at least one of thefirst fan, first diffuser, or first damper based on the data to causethe first desired temperature of the first air flow; and a second fan,second diffuser, or second damper corresponding to the second area ofthe room, wherein the controller is configured to control the second fancoil or second chilled beam and at least one of the second fan, seconddiffuser, or second damper based on the data to cause the second desiredtemperature of the second air flow.
 13. The HVAC system of claim 8,comprising a thermostat communicatively coupled with the controller,wherein the controller is configured to receive the target roomtemperature from the thermostat via a set point of the thermostat. 14.The HVAC system of claim 8, comprising a user interface communicativelycoupled with the controller, wherein: the controller is configured togenerate, based on the first data and the second data, a two-dimensionalheat map of the conditioned room, including an illustration of the firstarea of the conditioned room, the second area of the conditioned room,and heat indications superimposed over the first area and the secondarea; and the user interface is configured to output the two-dimensionalheat map on a display.
 15. A heating, ventilation, and/or airconditioning (HVAC) system, comprising: a sensor system configured todetect a distribution of heat within a conditioned room, wherein thesensor system includes a first thermal light detector configured todetect a first portion of the distribution of heat corresponding to afirst area of the conditioned room and a second thermal light detectorconfigured to detect a second portion of the distribution of heatcorresponding to a second area of the conditioned room; a plurality ofphysically separate flow paths including a first physically separateflow path terminating at a first air flow outlet corresponding to thefirst area of the conditioned room and a second physically separate flowpath terminating at a second air flow outlet corresponding to the secondarea of the conditioned room; a plurality of air control devicesconfigured to be actuated to control air flows to the conditioned room,wherein the plurality of air control devices comprises a first aircontrol device disposed in the first physically separate flow path andhaving a first fan coil or first chilled beam configured to cool a firstair flow, and the plurality of air control devices comprises a secondair control device disposed in the second physically separate flow pathand having a second fan coil or second chilled beam configured to cool asecond air flow; and a controller configured to receive first dataindicative of the first portion of the distribution of heat from thefirst thermal light detector and second data indicative of the secondportion of the distribution of heat from the second thermal lightdetector, to determine a first target air flow property based on thefirst data, to determine a second target air flow property based on thesecond data, to control the first air control device to facilitate thefirst air flow having the first target air flow property through thefirst physically separate flow path to the first area of the conditionedroom, and to control the second air control device to facilitate thesecond air flow having the second target air flow property through thesecond physically separate flow path to the second area of theconditioned room.
 16. The HVAC system of claim 15, wherein thecontroller is configured to: determine a first target temperature forthe conditioned room; determine the first target air flow property basedon the first target temperature; and determine the second target airflow property based on the first target temperature.
 17. The HVAC systemof claim 15, wherein the controller is configured to generate, based onthe first data and the second data, a two-dimensional heat map of theconditioned room, including an illustration of the first area of theconditioned room, the second area of the conditioned room, and heatindications superimposed over the first area and the second area. 18.The HVAC system of claim 17, comprising a user interface communicativelycoupled with the controller and configured to output the two-dimensionalheat map on a display.
 19. The HVAC system of claim 15, wherein thefirst air control device comprises a first damper and the second aircontrol device comprises a second damper.
 20. The HVAC system of claim15, wherein the first thermal light detector comprises a first infrared(IR) sensor and the second thermal light detector comprises a secondinfrared (IR) sensor.